Lager, Chris McKee in GOP race for lieutenant governor

Missouri State Sen. Brad Lager and St. Louis developer Chris McKee announced today their intent to seek the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.

Lager and McKee’s announcements come after Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley said last week that he would not seek the office. Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, is not seeking re-election and is expected to challenge Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon in next year's elections.

Lager, from Savannah, served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2002 to 2006. He was elected to the Senate in 2006 and reelected in 2010.

McKee, of Frontenac, is president of Optimus LLC, a construction and development firm. McKee and Optimus were partners in the group that renovated the recently opened Peabody Opera House. McKee is the son of developer Paul McKee, co-founder of Paric Corp. and McEagle Properties.

Two Democrats have already declared for the lieutenant governor's race — state party chairwoman Susan Montee and state commissioner of conservation Becky Plattner.